2002 Mitsubishi Evo VII OZ Rally - Seeing Double

'02 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII and Lancer O*Z Rally Edition

One's fast; the other isn't. One's available now-and the other's finally on its wayFirst DriveEvo VIIWorld Rally Championship warrior brings fight to U.S. streetsSince 1992, the Evolution has represented the extreme form of the compact Lancer, as enhanced by the mechanical Darwinism of aggressive motorsport competition.For '02, the home-market Evo VII reworks the basic Lancer platform with a 2.0L/ 276-hp DOHC turbocharged four, close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, AWD with active center differential and active yaw control, motorsport-config anti-lock system with Brembo brakes, track-tuned suspension, light alloys, and 235/45ZR17 tires. To further ensure swift performance, curb weight has been minimized through lightweight components, such as an aluminum hood and fenders.We drove the Evo VII in Japan, tearing through hills with the turbo in full song. Everything we love in the diluted-for-U.S. WRX is cranked up to maximum edginess in the Evo VII-with dramatic power, traction, and even interior size advantages. This rally monster surges forth with awesome strength, matched by tenacious traction as each tire independently claws at the asphalt. The overall dynamics inspire confidence, and the Evo drives with balance and poise.Mitsubishi needed to address a few certification details before U.S. import could be ensured, namely intercooler/bumper packaging and California emissions. Although the price starts in the low $20s in Japan, we're told the target price for the U.S. will be something around $30,000. The intention is to bring the car over as is, with changes limited to satisfying government requirements. International performance and World Rally Championship freaks can finally rejoice-and get in line at their nearest Mitsu dealership.-Jeff Bartlett

Price

$20,630-$24,560 (Japan), $28,000-$32,000 (est U.S.)

Vehicle layout

Front engine, AWD, 4-door, 5-pass

Engine

Turbo 2.0L/ 276-hp I-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl

On sale in U.S.

Fourth quarter, 2002 (est)

0-60 mph, sec

4.7 (est)

Quarter mile, sec/mph

13.1/105.0 (est)

Enthusiasts have been begging Mitsubishi to bring its rally-championship-winning Lancer/Mirage Evolution into the U.S. for years. Until recently, Mitsu wasn't comfortable with the business-case side of this question, but enthusiast pressure-and positively raucous Subaru Impreza WRX sales-have finally forced the company's hand.Mitsubishi has announced that its latest Evo, the Lancer Evolution VII is coming to the U.S. with its 300-plus-hp (don't believe the factory ratings cited below) turbocharged four, independent suspension, all-wheel drive, and big deck-mounted wing intact. We'll bring you a much more detailed report of its specs, tech, and test-track performance as soon as we can get our Nomex driving gloves around one. In the meantime, here are brief driving impressions on both the Evo VII and its (sort of) look-alike, half-price cousin, the Lancer O*Z Rally edition.-Matt StoneFirst TestO*Z RallyNo Evo in O*ZMitsubishi's Lancer O·Z Rally is the antithesis of its Evo VII stablemate. While the Evo stems from humble econosedan beginnings, ultimately taking it to seriously capable performance levels, the O·Z Rally attempts to look like it too is capable of serious performance-but ends up a humble, if sportily dressed, econosedan.